Flying from Schiphol as a senior
Flying is for everyone, regardless of your age! But you might need to queue up at the airport at times, and that can be rather tough if you are a bit older. We’d therefore like to give you some tips, so that you’ll be well-prepared for your journey.
Travel light
The less baggage you bring, the easier your journey. If you don’t need to take much on your travels, your items may fit into a small bag rather than a large suitcase. That will save you from having to carry too much. If you are travelling with hand baggage only, make sure to pack as lightly as possible. And remember that you are welcome in the terminal no more than four hours before departure.
Ask your airline for assistance
If you have difficulty walking, find it hard to walk long distances or have problems with climbing stairs, let your airline or travel agent know when you book your ticket. They will then let us know. It’s important to provide this information well in advance so that we can arrange the necessary assistance.
Check in online
Many airlines offer the possibility of checking in online via their website. If you do that, you can either print your boarding pass out at home or bring it with you on your mobile phone. Check with your airline or travel agent to see if this is possible; checking in online can save time. This is especially true when travelling with hand baggage only, because then you can go straight to the security check and skip the queue for the check-in desks.
Pack smart
After checking in online, it’s time to pack your bags. Think twice before packing heavy items in your hand baggage – do you really need them? If you are taking a laptop, tablet or other electronic device, bear in mind that they can stay in your hand baggage. You no longer need to take liquids out of your hand baggage either. It is wise to bring small packages of no more than 100 ml and put them in a resealable transparent plastic bag of no more than 1 litre.
Going to Schiphol
Before heading to Schiphol, we recommend that you put on comfortable shoes. Distances at the airport are long and because it can busy at times, you may have to stand for longer. Furthermore, make sure to bring something to drink and perhaps a bite to eat. When it’s very busy you may need to queue up outside. A light jacket may therefore be a good idea.
At the airport
Your flight number is clearly indicated on your ticket or boarding pass. You can see which check-in desk you need to be at by checking the screens at Schiphol and looking for your flight number and destination. This information can also be found on our website and in the Schiphol app. You can also see which departure hall you need to go to. If you have already checked in online, go straight to the security check in the departure hall where your check-in desk is located. That way, you can be sure you are in the right queue.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak to a Schiphol employee. Have a pleasant journey!
Read the previous blogs
-
Flying in storm Darragh
Published on:Wednesday, November 27, storm Conall rages over the airport. Flying in strong winds is a challenge. Read what to expect on the plane here.
-
A day in the life of... a marshaller
Published on:Guiding planes at Schiphol and helping pilots park at the gate? Being a marshaller is certainly an exciting job! But there’s much more to it.
-
Flying eye-catchers attracting a lot of attention
Published on:We see a large number of aircraft at Schiphol. So we're not that easily impressed, but sometimes special planes come along that do attract a lot of attention.